C. Wyvonne Wilkerson Owen

Ashland, VA- Claudia Wyvonne Wilkerson Owen, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, VA, surrounded by her family. A resident of Hanover Manor Assisted Living in Ashland, VA, Wyvonne was formerly a resident of Oxford, NC. She was born May 9, 1934 to the late Annie Laurie Currin Wilkerson and William Alexander Wilkerson in Granville County, NC. She was the widow of the late William “Bill” Owen, Sr. Wyvonne, fondly known as “Ma-Ma” and “Wonnie”, was a life-long member of Dexter Baptist Church in Oxford, NC where she served as a deaconess, member of the WMU, Vacation Bible School, homecoming committee, and women’s softball team. She loved gardening, growing gorgeous flowers, and was also an amazing southern cook. She was well known for her delicious homemade biscuits. She loved the Dexter community and spending time at Kerr Lake with friends and family. Her pride and joy were her kids, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved all of their friends dearly. Wonnie grew up on the Wilkerson Tobacco Farm and married her high school sweetheart, William, her “Fluffy” on January 28, 1951. Wonnie and Fluffy spent their early years of marriage in Buffalo Junction, VA where they welcomed the birth of their three children Pamela Gail, Bill Jr. and Laurie Leigh. Later they made their home in Dexter, NC where Wonnie resided until 2017 when dementia entered her life and led her to live with family. Wonnie is survived by her son, Bill Owen Jr. and wife Betty of Zebulon, NC, and devoted caregivers daughter Laurie Owen Bellows and husband Tim Bellows of Ashland, VA; five grandchildren, Brandon Owen, Jennifer Hogg (Tracy), Amy B. Rhykerd (Brian), Abby B. Michaels (Kenan), and Hunter Bellows (Cailey); seven great grandchildren, Zachary and Cooper Hogg, Marlee and Braelyn Owen, Chase, Ava, and Nora Rhykerd. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Marie S. Wilkerson and special niece Patricia F. Hughes. Wonnie was surrounded by caring friends in her final years including her dear friend, Chris Miles, who had a lunch date with her every Thursday which usually ended with ice cream. In addition to her parents and husband, Wonnie was preceded in death by her daughter Pamela Gail Owen, sister Mary Leigh W. Fuller and husband Tommy Fuller, brother William A. Wilkerson, Jr. and brother Danny C. Wilkerson. Wonnie will be remembered for her kind, joyful, fun-loving personality. She loved God, her church, her friends, and her family. Oh and don’t forget how much she loved sports, especially baseball and softball. She attended and supported her grandkids’ activities – school musicals, church events, go-kart racing, softball, baseball, basketball, and even lacrosse. Wonnie was considered the “Team Grandma” for the Messiah College Men’s Lacrosse team, and one of several “Team Grandmas” for the PA Alley Cats Tournament Softball team. She will also be remembered for her generous heart and being a selfless servant. She gave people the ultimate and priceless gift – her time. She had the gift of making everyone feel special. To honor her legacy, we encourage you to call or visit a family member or friend. It’s like Wonnie used to say “life is too short not to be happy!”. Well Mom, you had 90 years to love and make people happy. I think God will say job well done my faithful servant. A celebration of life will be held Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Dexter Baptist Church by Rev. Wayne Clark. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Monday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Dexter Baptist Church. Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Owen, Hunter Bellows, Lane Humphries, Wyatt Humphries, Daniel Wilkerson, Colby Wilkerson, Cam Humphries, and Todd Wilkerson. For her friends in Virginia, an additional celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks in the Hanover, VA area. Details forthcoming.